2. It is very easy
to enter data.” Goals
— Testimonial from a School
Nurse/Daily User • Keep students
and staff
healthy.
81% of surveyed
users agree... The Absenteeism System
I like using an The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD)
online system for Daily Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Absenteeism
reporting my data.” Reporting System was developed in 2009 as part
of county-wide enhanced surveillance for influenza.
and... It expanded the previously established, weekly
absenteeism reporting that had been conducted
I like having access for several years to include symptom-specific
to public health absenteeism in students and staff that could be
information from reported directly to the health department in real-time
DCHD using the using a web-based interface.
web portal.”
Benefits Big Picture
• Situational awareness DCHD analyzes ILI information from the schools, in conjunction
• Timely reporting with information from other sources, to understand the ILI
• Outbreak investigation situation throughout DuPage County as a whole. Health
and response department staff also monitor systems with chief complaint
• Geographic distribution data from emergency departments at local hospitals, over-the-
• Monitoring influenza counter medication sales data from local retail pharmacies,
activity ILI information from sentinel outpatient providers, and case
• Control response information for influenza intensive care unit hospitalizations,
deaths in children <18 years of age due to influenza, and
• Decision support
patients infected with novel influenza strains. This information
• Evaluate interventions
is summarized in DCHD’s influenza report, which is published
• Schools can generate weekly every October until the following May.
their own reports
3. Daily Percent of School Absences in DuPage County,
8/31/2009-5/28/2010
10.0
Total Absent Absent due to influenza-like illness
9.0
8.0
Percent Absent
7.0
6.0
5.0
•
4.0
Keep schools 3.0
open and 2.0
1.0
operational. 0.0
Date
Daily Percent of School Absences in DuPage County,
2.5
August 31-February 1 (2009-2012) Improvements
ILI Absenteeism 2009-2010 ILI Absenteeism 2010-2011 ILI Absenteeism 2011-2012
2.0
During the summer of 2011,
DCHD partnered with a web
Percent Absent
1.5 developer to improve the
absenteeism system. Users
1.0 are now able to update their
Daily Percent of School Absences in DuPage County,
8/31/2009-5/28/2010
own account information,
Absent due to influenza-like illness password.
including their
10.00.5 Total Absent
9.0
8.0
They can also alter and
0.0
resubmit entries for previous
Percent Absent
7.0
6.0
Dateschool days, if necessary.
5.0
An extensive User’s Manual
4.0
3.0
has also been added to the
2.0 site to explain these and
[Type text] other features.
1.0
County-level Report March 8, 2012
0.0
Date
If You Report:
DCHD would like to thank Daily Percent of School Absences in DuPage County,
August 31-February 1 (2009-2012)
the schools and districts 2.5
ILI Absenteeism 2009-2010 ILI Absenteeism 2010-2011 ILI Absenteeism 2011-2012
that utilize the daily
absenteeism reporting 2.0
Percent Absent
system for your cooperation
1.5
in providing us with your
data. Schools that have yet
1.0
to register with the system
are encouraged to do so, 0.5
and can contact DCHD
staff with any questions or 0.0
concerns.
Date
4. How It Works
• Users log on to the
system to enter and
update daily absenteeism
information.
• At least once a day,
DCHD staff review the
data for any trends that
may indicate unusual
levels of illness.
• If irregularities are
identified, DCHD staff
contact the school
to gather additional
information to assess
the situation and offer
assistance as needed.
• School and district
staff members and
administrators can
also create reports in
the system that
summarize the
absenteeism trends
in students or staff
for total and ILI-specific
absenteeism.
To Register: Additional Resources
Our weekly influenza report is located at
Visit www.dupagehealth.org/data
Illinois Department of Public Health Seasonal Influenza
http://connect.dupagehealth.org and Surveillance reports are located at
click “Register” to begin reporting. www.idph.state.il.us/flu/surveillance.htm
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Seasonal
Call the Communicable Disease Influenza Surveillance reports are located at
and Epidemiology program with any www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivitysurv.htm
questions at (630) 221-7553.
3-19-2012
111 N County Farm Rd. • Wheaton, Illinois 60187
(630) 682-7400 • www.dupagehealth.org
